May 31 DVD roundup

Mostly reissues this week, although at least they’re some really good ones.

Mainstream: Drive Angry

Independent: Cross; Passion Play

Reissues: American Graffiti; A Clockwork Orange; Legend; Once Upon A Time In The West; Stanley Kubrick film collection

Documentary: Never Apologize

TV: Hijos Del Carnaval; Stargate Universe

British TV: Genius of Britain; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; The Red Green Show

Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at discount stores or online.

American Graffiti: Special EditionUniversal, 113 minutes, PG
DVD: $19.98
BD: $26.98
George Lucas first made it big with this coming-of-age story about four high-school friends on their last night before they go off to begin their separate lives. Inspiration for “Happy Days” and countless teen sex comedies (even though this film is fairly clean). Lucas built on his success with this film to get his next project greenlighted: a little film called “Star Wars.” BD debut. Extras: commentary, featurette, production notes, screen tests.

A Clockwork Orange: 40th Anniversary EditionWarner Bros., 136 minutes, R
BD Book: $34.99
Anniversary edition of this still controversial film (writer Anthony Burgess reportedly hates it to this day) featuring a young Malcolm McDowell as the leader of a gang devoted to rape, mayhem and Beethoven. Extrs: four documentaries (two new for this edition), commentary, featurettes.CrossSony, 105 minutes, R, $24.96
When an immortal Viking starts kidnapping beautiful young women from L.A.’s streets, good-guy Callan (Brian Austin Green) takes his magic Celtic cross and gathers a band of weapons experts to fight him and his doomsday device. Uh-huh. Extras: commentary, deleted scenes, alternate ending.

Drive AngrySummit Entertainment, 104 minutes, R
DVD: $26.99
BD: $30.49
3DBD/BD: $34.99
Nicholas Cage is Milton (a little English-major humor there, I guess), an undead felon who breaks out of Hell to avenge his murdered daughter and rescue her baby from a cult. Of course, the Devil doesn’t like it when you bust out, so he sends a killer (William Fichtner) to return him to Hell. Lots of car chases. I think this would register highly as a Joe Bob Briggs movie. Extras: commentary, deleted scenes, two featurettes. BD adds interactive features.

Legend: Ultimate EditionUniversal, 114 minutes, PG, $26.98 (BD debut)
Ridley Scott helmed this fantasy-adventure about a young forest-dweller (a young Tom Cruise) sent on a quest; rescue the Princess Lily (Mia Sara) from the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Lots of fantastic creatures; unicorns, faires, goblins, etc. Not much on story, as I recall, but that was a long time ago. Extras: commentary, featurette, music video, BD-Live capacity.

The Lion, The Witch and the WardrobeBBC/Warner Bros., 180 minutes, $14.98
Animated version of the C.S. Lewis classic, featuring four kids on their enchanted adventure through the kingdom of Narnia. Directed by Bill Melendez, famous for the “Peanuts” specials. Extras: commentary, deleted scene.

Never ApologizeWarner Bros, not rated, $19.97
Documentary on British director Lindsay Anderson, who directed Malcolm McDowell in two films and performed in several theatrical one-man stage shows. No extras listed.

Once Upon A Time In The WestParamount, 165 minutes, PG-13, $24.99
A small outpost in the desert is the target of a ruthless railroad magnate because it’s the only source of water for 50 miles. Charles Bronson and Jason Robards are the good-guy gunslingers defending Claudia Cardinale, the well’s owner. Henry Fonda plays off-type as the bad guy hired to take them down. 1969 Sergio Leone spaghetti western wasn’t too well-received when it was released; now it’s considered a classic. Extras: commentary, five featurettes, production gallery.

Passion PlayImage Entertainment, 94 minutes, R
DVD: $27.97
BD: $29.97
Washed-up jazz musician Nate Poole (Mickey Rourke), on the run from gangster Happy Shannon (Bill Murray), stumbles upon a traveling carnival where the star attraction is Lily “The Bird Woman” (Megan Fox). But she’s no carny fake; her wings are real. Poole falls in love with her and convinces her to leave with him, but towards what kind of future? Film noir is supposed to ensue. Another one of those art films that plays in New York and L.A., then moves to video. No extras listed.

The Red Green Show: The Midlife Crisis Years (Seasons 2000-2002)Acorn Media, 1,260 minutes, 54 episodes, 9 discs, $79.99
Canadian version of “Home Improvement” offers up its 10th, 11th and 12th seasons, featuring creator/star Steve Smith as a north-of-the-border handyman. He and his buddies get into all sorts of men behaving badly mischief in a van held together by duct tape and twine. Extras: introduction, character profiles, production notes.

Stargate: Universe – The Complete Final SeasonMGM, 1,003 minutes, 20 episodes, 5 discs, $49.98
Second and final season of a series that has had more than a few incarnations; although I think “Law & Order’s” spinoff record is safe for a long time. Ditto for my beloved “Star Trek.” Extras: commentaries on all episodes, 20 featurettes.